NYPL State College Spikes

Medlar Field At Lubrano Park Rated Best Ballpark In Short-Season Ranks

Published on April 2, 2009 under New York-Penn League (NYPL)
State College Spikes News Release


STATE COLLEGE - Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the home of the State College Spikes, has been ranked by Baseball America as the top Short-Season/Rookie Level ballpark in all of Minor League Baseball as part of its April 6 "Minor League Preview" issue.

The magazine polled minor league officials, club personnel, architects and promoters to compile its list of the top three ballparks in each of the 10 full-season leagues, while grouping all Short-Season Class-A and Rookie leagues into one category. Medlar Field at Lubrano Park was listed first among the 67 short-season and rookie level clubs, just ahead of Keyspan Park, home of the New York-Penn League's Brooklyn Cyclones, and Dehler Park in Billings, Montana, home of the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League.

Because Medlar Field at Lubrano Park also serves as the home of Penn State University's NCAA baseball program, the ballpark consistently is regarded as the best in the Big Ten Conference and one of the top facilities in the entire nation. In fact, games at the ballpark are already in full swing as the Nittany Lions have hosted eight home games this season at Medlar Field without any postponements.

Built in 2006 for the Spikes' inaugural season in State College, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park was also the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified ballpark built in the United States, making it a leader in the "green movement" of new sports stadium projects. The ballpark was built using a strict code of energy efficient and recyclable measures and in the way water and energy is conserved on a daily basis Medlar Field is ahead of its time.

"What a nice honor for both the Spikes and Penn State University to have Medlar Field at Lubrano Park rated by Baseball America as the top short-season and rookie level ballpark in the country," said Spikes' General Manager Jason Dambach. "All you have to do is take one look at the ballpark, and couple that with the amazing view of Mount Nittany and the surrounding landscape, and you can understand why it is widely considered to be one of the top facilities in both Minor League Baseball and the NCAA."

The Spikes' sister franchise, the Myrtle Beach (SC) Pelicans, also received similar accolades from Baseball America in its most recent issue. BB&T Coastal Field, home of the Pelicans, was rated the top ballpark in the Advanced Class-A Carolina League. The Pelicans, an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, have called BB&T Coastal Field home since 1999.

Fans can see one of the top parks in the nation firsthand on Saturday, April 18, when the Spikes host their annual TicketPalooza event at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to single-game tickets going on sale for all 38 regular season home games, plus the 2009 New York-Penn League All-Star Game, there will be a bevy of fun activities for the entire family. The headline event will be the first-ever Fan Home Run Derby Challenge and the Spikes' annual National Anthem Auditions. For more information, fans can contact the Spikes at 877-99-SPIKES, or visit StateCollegeSpikes.com.

Until April 18, the only single-game tickets fans can reserve are for the event of the summer in the region, the 2009 New York-Penn League All-Star Game on Tuesday, August 18 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. NYPL All-Star Game seats can be purchased by contacting the Spikes Box Office at (814) 272-1711 or toll-free at (877) 99-SPIKES. Tickets to the NYPL Midsummer Classic are also available for purchase on-line at StateCollegeSpikes.com.

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